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Phase 2 (1999−2004)

Phase 2 Strategy

Phase 2 of IA-HEV started in November 1999 at a time when the first hybrid vehicle, the Prius, had just been introduced to the market, and battery electric vehicles were considered suitable for some market niches such as neighborhood electric vehicles, small trucks for local deliveries, or two- or three-wheel vehicles. Although good progress had been made in battery technology, low-cost, high-performance traction batteries were not yet commercially available. Progress with fuel cell technology led to optimism about a “hydrogen economy,” and car manufacturers switched their attention to fuel cells and away from battery electric vehicles.

As a result, IA-HEV during Phase 2 emphasized the collection of objective general information on hybrid, electric, and fuel cell vehicles. Governmental objectives of improving air quality and energy efficiency along with reducing greenhouse gas emissions ensured the need for IA-HEV continuation.

The strategy was formally approved by the Executive Committee at its meeting in Montreal in October 2000.

Phase 2 Objectives

Provide governments, local authorities, large users, and industries with objective information on electric and hybrid vehicles, their energy efficiency, and impact on the environment, by means of general studies, assessments, demonstrations, comparative evaluation of various options for application, market studies, technology evaluations, and so forth.

Disseminate the information produced to interested groups and organizations.

Collaborate on pre-competitive research projects and related topics and investigate the need for further research in promising areas.

The strategy described three initiatives for the second phase:

Continue streamlining management of the implementing agreement and executive committee meetings to keep overhead costs to a minimum.